Chicco d’Oro

Chicco d’Oro may not be a Phnom Pehn café, but the Swiss company – first launched in 1949 – represents a coffee tradition in the European heartland that has finally percolated into Cambodia in the short space of two years through the efforts of local distributor Xcellency.

According to Xcellency CEO Pierre Tami, who has spent more than 20 years in Cambodia and was the founder of Hagar International, Chicco d’Oro exports its coffee to 27 countries, including Italy, Germany, the US, China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand – and now, of course, Cambodia.

Tami and operations manager Jessica Chhay’s primary business is sales of Chicco d’Oro’s blended coffee “capsules”, which come in a variety of flavours – Italian espresso, espresso long, traditional 100% Arabica and decaffeinated, among other noncaffeinated offerings – as well as the coffee machines that use them. Meanwhile, Xcellency also sells “Tradition” packs of beans, along with coffee cups and latte frothing machines.

“Our major clients are offices, banks, consultants, embassies, NGOs, anyone who has five to 10 people in an office and receives visits from clients and guests,” says Tami.

The machines come in three varieties: the S04 Family, the S05 Office, and the S06 Barista, with prices ranging from $240 to $350. Along with the coffee capsule packets of 10, which cost $8, they have proved to be a hit with the local businesses community, and even some restaurants and hotels – the InterContinental Hotel alone has 34 machines in use. Venues that offer the Swiss “golden” coffee include Terrazza on Street 282 in BKK1 and La Casa del Habano in the Himawari Hotel Square.

According to Tami, the average Chicco d’Oro family machine is good for up to 20 cups a day, while the more expensive offices units can produce 50 cups a day.

“We strongly believe in service,” he says. “We offer a one-year guarantee on the machines, and we provide regular descaling services for our clients.”

Look out for Chicco d’Oro product displays at Terrazza, the Himawari, KOFI Showroom, Samba Steakhouse, Yejj Café, the Almond Hotel, Yisang Restaurant, and at other venues and events around town.